City Hall phones start ringing and lines form at the tax collector’s office.

That was the case yesterday, only some people, who haven’t been following the news, were wondering why they were facing a July 15 deadline for payment when they didn’t get their bill until Friday the 13. And, besides they asked, how could they pay their bill when city offices are closed on Sunday?

So, the administration issued a reminder yesterday that, because of the delay in the issuance of tax bills, the due date for first quarter payments of motor vehicle, real estate and tangible tax bills is being extended until July 31.

No interest will accrue on payments hand-delivered to the Tax Collector’s Office or on bills that are postmarked by July 31.

The delay was due to a computer upgrade, which will ultimately allow tax payments to be processed more quickly by the Tax Collector’s Office.